The premise is simple. Each day you pick a player that you think will have a hit that day. The site shows you the pitching/hitting match up and you choose who, it can be any player in the league, you think will produce a hit. One hit- that’s all you need. The next day you do the same thing. You can pick a different player everyday if you want. There is really no restrictions to who you pick, just that you have to pick someone. Your streak continues until the player you selected doesn’t produce a hit and then your streak ends and you start all over again. The objective is to have a streak of 57 games. The MLB hit streak was set in 1941 and is 56 games.

It may seem easy, but trust me folks- it isn’t. There are all different strategies to try: riding a hot player, basing it on who is pitching that day, where the game is being played, etc. There is always something that causes your streak to combust. It can be frustrating and addicting. Plus who doesn’t want to win a million dollars?

Well, it’s not quite baseball season yet, although spring training is looming, so today I decided to start playing ESPN’s Streak for the Cash. It is the same concept except there are random games with random questions asked. Will this player score more than this player? Who will score first? You start building a streak and with the goal of a 27 pick streak by the end of March.

The whole thing seems like it was stolen a bit from MLB.com, which I believe offered their version before ESPN came out with theirs, but fun nonetheless. I like the fact that it features many sports situations and you don’t have to play every day-you can pick and choose as you please.

So here I go. Wish me luck! Let me know- have you played before? What is your highest streak?

When I’m not thinking about the Pats, it’s a safe bet to make that I’m thinking about the Sox, which inevitably means that I’m thinking about the Yankees. I am in no way against buying buyers. People spout off that sports are a business and it’s true. This is especially true with baseballs soft salary cap. The soft cap allows for consumption without a lot of thinking. Do I pick A or B? That is a question that would come up in football. BOTH is the answer of a powerful and wealthy MLB team. Sabathia and Burnett were clearly two of the big names on the market this off-season and so that the fact that they are donning pinstripes before Christmas doesn’t shock me.

Is it scary? Yes, in some ways. The Yankees have improved their rotation ten fold. My take? That is a lot of money to pay a playoff bust and injury prone righty. What about their aging bats? That’s where I worry even more. Reports have been circulating that the Yankees are in the market for Teixeira and Manny.

The Yankees have gotten much better in their first two acquisitions of the year. Maybe I’m biased but I would still take a playoff dominant Beckett over playoff bust Sabathia and a healthy Jon Lester over on the beach Burnett. What makes me nervous is the thought of the Yankees going out and picking up Teixeira (A) or Ramirez (B). Wait- this is the MLB. What about BOTH?

In Theo’s hands the Sox are in a good position. But it is a playoff race from the game one when you play in the AL East. I believe the Sox should, and will, counter with a big offer for Teixeira because clearly Manny ain’t coming back. Sign Lowe to the rotation and I’m confident. Without a big signing of a big bat? I’m not sure where we will be.

We have the homegrown talent, Pedroia, Youk and Papelbon, but now is the time to take advantage that we have the money to sign a guy like Teixeira. We have a good system and hefty funds. Let’s use ‘em- BOTH.

Red Sox fans weep.

At this point, the wild card is our shining beacon of hope. We need the Ravens to lose a game and win out to get the coveted card. The Ravens are playing a desperate and driven Cowboys team next week. The Boys have been surrounded by so much controversy in the past week, which shouldn’t really come as a surprise. Who really thought it would be roses and smiles for more than a year with TO on the team? Did you think the “bromance” of Romo and TO would last? Nah, I didn’t think so. Drama aside the Cowboys beat the Giants handedly and now have the momentum to hopefully beat the Ravens at home.

The Pats must also beat the Cardinals and the Bills. It should happen, but it might not. It makes it all the more nerve-racking, sickening and fun. I wish we had the tiebreaker then I would really be having a good time. 

I really need to stop thinking about the Pats- over and over and over. I will call my boyfriend to throw out a scenario on my way home from work. I have x’s and o’s in my brain. I will now understand tiebreaker rules for the rest of my life. It’s times like these where I wish I loved the Celtics and Bruins more. But alas that isn’t the case. Diagnosis: Football Fever. Damn, I love the NFL.

What do you think? Will the Pats make it?

Sunday’s game was a hard one to watch unfold. The first quarter looked great and the second quarter wasn’t even too bad. Watching Gostkowski shank the field goal attempt and leave it tied going into the second half should have been a sign. One of the announcers stated that the Pats haven’t won a game this season when they haven’t been winning at the half. I refused to believe- I was feeling pretty good.

You know the rest. Interceptions, fumbles and dropped balls. I continued to believe when Slater fumbled. I continued to believe the first and second time the ball was stripped out of Cassel’s throwing arm. Once Troy Polamalu put the proverbial nail in the coffin, I left the room.

The game was a must win. But we didn’t win it and that is when as a football fan you put your rational hat on and realize what could come. Pats fans haven’t had to do this in years, but they now have to face the facts: we may make the playoffs, but we may not.

The Pats have played all but one of their six divisional games. They only have Buffalo left. The rest of the division still has two games to mix up the standings. The AFC East is close. One divisional game could change the standings. What the Pats need are Miami and Buffalo to show up when they play the team to beat, the Jets. If they win, they only put the Pats in a better position.

Well there is a positive. Here is a negative. The Pats play the best team of all of the teams left to play, playing Arizona in week 15. Buffalo plays Denver in the same week, but look at the Jets schedule: San Fran, Buffalo, Seattle and Miami. It is easy to see them winning them all.

It’s been an uphill battle this year and even without the laundry list of players that are hurt including Brady, Harrison, Thomas, Maroney, there are still four games left and a great team playing them. The Pats have heart and they also have an “us against the world” mentality. Something they have had, not since Brady as many might believe, but since Belichick put on the gray hoodie.

There is also hope of a wild-card spot, but at this point in the season, when the division is winnable, that is the goal. Playoffs are a fresh start and if the Pats get there I would put good money on them. The trick is: getting there.

Titans v. Detroit: Titans Happy Thanksgiving! You once again get to watch the Lions get stomped on. At this point it is as much of a tradition as turkey and stuffing.

Seahawks v. Cowboys: Cowboys

Cardinals v. Eagles: Cardinals

Ravens v. Bengals: Ravens

49ers v. Bills: Bills

Panthers v. Packers: Panthers

Saints v. Bucs: Saints

Giants v. Redskins: Giants

Colts v. Browns: Colts

Dolphins v. Rams: Dolphins

Falcons v. Chargers: Falcons

Steelers v. Pats: Pats

Chiefs v. Raiders: Raiders

Broncos v. Jets: Broncos

Bears v. Vikings: Bears

Jaguars v. Texans: Texans

Side note: I hate spreads. A win is a win in my book. I have no bookie and so there will be no spread. I’ve decided I’m a sports purist.

Denver v. Cleveland: Denver The Broncos are a pretty solid team offensively. Defense is another story. But with Quinn getting the nod and officially playing his first NFL game,  I don’t think Denver will have to worry too much. I’m thinking that Denver will establish an early lead and Quinn will have trouble carrying his team to a victory.

New Orleans v. Atlanta: New Orleans This is a big divisional game for the two NFC South teams. I’m thinking NO pulls out the win and makes things even more interesting. That said: I would love to see the Falcons win it and potentially be tied for the lead. If one team deserves some fun, it’s ATL fans.

Tennessee v. Chicago: Tennessee The only team still without a loss and playing a potentially banged up (sprained ankle) Orton or a healthy Grossman. I’m not sure which is worse.

Jacksonville v. Detroit: Jacksonville This could be an ugly game. The Lions picked up Culpepper and are grasping at straws for some kind of spark. I don’t think it’s their week- again.

Seattle v. Miami: Unfortunately Miami

Green Bay v. Minnesota: Green Bay  After a tough loss last week to the Titans, I can see the Pack playing hard for the win especially against their rival. If it was at home I would have said definitely a win, but on the road I think it will be close.

Buffalo v. New England: New England The Pats lost last week because of their coaching and a game changing penatly by a tight end who really brings nothing to the field. Sorry- checking my bitterness…

It is a showdown in the AFC East. Man, I haven’t said that in a while. The Pats need to win at home before they travel north for their rematch later in the year. This is stage setting for when it really may be for the divison crown. GO PATS!

St. Louis v. New York Jets: St. Louis

Baltimore v. Houston: Baltimore

Carolina v. Oakland: Carolina

Indianapolis v. Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Big Ben has been roughed up this season, but the Colts are not the team they have been. This should be a great game to watch, but I think it’s Pittsburgh’s to lose.

Kansas City v. San Diego: San Diego

New York Giants v. Philadelphia: Philly  Loss number two has to be coming soon and it’s gonna be Philly handing it to the Giants. I can feel it. At least I hope I can.

San Francisco v. Arizona: Arizona Kurt Warner will lead his team to victory with 4 TDs. Okay- that is to appease one person I know that has Warner on his fantasy team. But I do expect Warner to bring it home.

I also have a Bruschi jersey and back in the day I had three Bledsoe jerseys.

As for the Sox, I like to rock the Papelbon, Lowell and Ortiz player tees. I think that Lester may be a good additional to the collection.

I think what jersey you wear says a lot about you. Let’s size up the jersey scene.

Home or Away? Please. Home. Always home. Let’s assume that if you love your team, 7 times out of 10 you are currently living in the area in which they play. If you attend games, where you would certainly be wearing a jersey, they would be playing at home. I buy home jerseys, but I know it can get tricky. Baseball fans would arugue that player jerseys don’t have the name on the back of home jerseys. But they do have numbers, which if you are a fan, you should be able to recognize as easily as a name.

Pink? Don’t get me started on pink, camo, pastels and any color that doesn’t accurately reflect the team that you are supporting. There is a reason that no professional team wears pink, let’s keep it that way. Note: If you are a die-hard Timlin fan, camo is acceptable.

Just signed players: A true don’t. I like to give players at least a couple of years before I hop on the fan train. Don’t get me wrong it’s important to support young players, but how much do you regret your purchase when you are wearing a bench players jersey for the next few years. Don’t believe the hype until they are locked in.

Traded players or retired players: Acceptable- depending on who the player is. Williams, Armstrong, Pesky, Bird, McHale and Bourke are obviously perfect choices. They were important and respected players in their respective sports. But sometimes it can get a little blurry. Vinatieri, Ty Law or Damon? Has that player ever scorned the team? Asked for more money and then left? Talked smack and then jumped ship? Or even worse, said they would never leave and then packed up and found themselves in the rivals dugout? You may want to think twice. Jerseys are expensive and I understand not being able to buy a new one every time someone is traded, retires or gets injured, but think twice before throwing on a jersey that might create more of a stir than your looking for.

Blurry line: Manny Ramirez

So what do you think? What jersey do you wear? Do you have any preferences? Is there anything that I missed when judging whether or not to wear a certain style or player? And would you, if you had previously owned one, still wear your Manny jersey at Friendly Fenway?

The Sox are done. The 2008 campaign has ended. It was hard to watch in more ways than I can tell you. Watching Dustin Pedroia in the dugout looking like someone told him that he would never play again made every Sox fan pain inside. Of course he will play again- next year really isn’t too far away- but players like Pedroia don’t think like this.

Same goes for die-hard fans. Red Sox Nation.  A group of fans that love their team and didn’t buy their jerseys within the past three weeks. A group of fans who know their players stats and miss work to breathe the Fenway air.

I hate to lose. The feeling in your chest when you are watching the team that you have watched all year slowly drift into the offseason can’t be described. The season started with me rolling out of bed at 6a.m. and watching the Sox start the season in Japan. It ended with my head in my hands.

What does a fan do? 

1. Be grateful that we have the chance to watch our team consistently have a chance to make a playoff run.

2. Look at our future. Papelbon, Pedroia, Youk, Ellsbury, Masterson, Lester, Daisuke. We are young and talented. Every fan that says we pay for our players. But our system is solid and we have young players with huge potential.

3. Watch the Sox make off-season moves. We need a Manny-esque hitter. Someone we will play big bucks and someone we can count on. A starting pitcher and a stronger bullpen.

4. Take your head out of hands. Don’t watch ESPN for the next two weeks. Throw all of you heart into the Pats, Celtics and Bruins. Spring training is only one New England winter away.

Now that is a hard statement to write out. Many people would love to say I can’t handle times when they get rough. You have to love your team win or lose. And I do, I was a fan before Brady or any Super Bowl. It’s a different feeling than I have ever had. It’s not the number of losses; it’s the way they lost.

Yesterday evening I watched the Patriots play with about as much intensity as dish soap. They went through the motions. There was no spark. As the Chargers continued to raise the score, the Pats and I together watched it climb.

The difference? There is no way I could have scored a touchdown, but they could have done something.  I never felt like the team felt the urge to make a comeback, like they rather just finish up and except loss two. The Pats have never been that team. It can’t be the loss of Brady alone. Patriot players have spoke out and said that they know they can get it done. But are their actions speaking way longer than their words?

Watching Cassel was painful. Watching Moss watch Cassel was painful. Watching the defensive line miss tackles hurt. Watching the Chargers throw bombs and having no chance of stopping it hurt. But the fact that there seemed to never be a desire to come back from behind and stomp all over them hurt the most. It may never have been possible, but the idea didn’t even seem to be there.

The only player who played like they wanted to win was Ellis Hobbs, who has quickly become one of my favorite players. The 5′9″ cornerback may have one of the toughest jobs on the team and he is the only player that seemed to care after the disgrace of a 4 and out on the San Diego one yard line in the 3rd.

Maybe Wes Welker as well. Everyone else looked like they rather be visiting Brady in the hospital, than winning the game. I do not doubt their intensity to win- every genuine athlete wants to win- I doubt the fact that they believe they even can.

The Pats are now officially being counted out. The Chargers were their chance to show everyone that they were capable. They couldn’t prove it or put the ball in the end zone. I still believe they could make the playoffs, I just think that they need to play with urgency more now then ever. They have played to get by and that hasn’t worked all that well. Now maybe they have nothing to lose. Why not try a fake punt? A flea-flicker? A FIRST DOWN.

Now is the time more than ever to get it done because if they don’t it will be nobody’s fault but theirs.